As in the previous 3 years, the biggest factor affecting the world's raw materials markets is the continued sluggishness of the economies of most nations. Relatively high and unchanging levels of unemployment, along with signs of uncertain stability within the banking and finance sectors, has kept a brake on investments, lending and consumer spending. Similar factors and political shifts also have led to a retreat from "stimulus" spending in the US and Europe, much of which was linked to clean energy development and more intensive use of certain key minerals and metals. Generally speaking, raw material prices have levelled off over the last year, in part because of moderating demand, but also because the price surges in many commodities have been an incentive to expand mining and supply chains. However, there are notable exceptions, such as with the rare earth stocks and other material that suffer from high demand and a low number of producers. This article highlights some of the major factors and trends identified in the data compiled by the US Geological Survey as part of its Minerals Commodity Summary 2011 report.
